Because we know that healthy lifestyles are achieved through nurturing mind, body and spirit, well-being and fitness at the Y is so much more than just working out.

At the YMCA, children and adults are taught to value their health and honor their bodies. Every day, we impact the lives of our members and participants by helping them achieve their health and wellness goals through a variety of programs. They benefit from our pools, gym, cardio and strength machines, group exercise classes, personal training sessions and the expertise of our professional and engaging wellness staff.  Ask about our series of free wellness services that can help everyone maximize their membership!

Additional wellness programming and services at the Y include:

Healthy Living Initiatives

We also offer a series of healthy living initiatives for people living with chronic disease.  Trained instructors lead these evidence-based programs that can help participants achieve an improved quality of life.

For more information about our healthy living initiatives, contact Lynne Zusi, Senior Program Director of Membership & Healthy Living.

Enhance®Fitness

Enhance Fitness is a proven community-based senior fitness and arthritis management program. It helps older adults become more active, energized, and empowered for independent living. Enhance Fitness has been nationally recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Aging and the Nation Council on Aging. Click here for registration details.

LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a small-group program that helps adult cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being following a cancer diagnosis. Through this program YMCAs are creating communities among cancer survivors and guiding them through safe physical activity, helping them build supportive relationships, and reducing stress – leading to an improved quality of life.

Parkinson’s Disease Programming

Parkinson’s Cycle Program

This program is supported by a grant from the American Parkinson Disease Association MA Chapter. Research has shown that cycling, especially pedaling at a rate faster than your own voluntary cadence, has benefits for those with PD. The Parkinson’s Cycle Program at the Hampshire Regional YMCA is designed to connect the PD community while providing a safe place to pedal and build lower body strength.

Dance for Parkinson’s

Experience the joy of movement in this class designed for people with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Participants will access their creativity within a supportive community of movers. Classes incorporate seated warm-ups with standing and locomotor movement that can also be adapted for seated movers. A medical clearance and pre-registration is required.

Parkinson’s Exercise Program

This class is led by personal trainers and incorporates exercises from an evidence-based program designed by the Boston University Center for Neurorehabilitation.  It is recommended that participants first take a six-week introductory course before joining this continuation program.  For more information contact Lynne Zusi, Senior Program Director of Membership & Healthy Living.

Parkinson’s HIIT Circuit Class

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a style of exercise where short bursts of high intensity exercises are followed by short periods of low intensity recovery. In this 55-minute class, participants will perform strength training intervals using combinations of weights, bands, and body weight. Class will conclude with stretching and flexibility exercises. Studies have found that people with Parkinson’s who regularly participated in HIIT training had increased neuronal activity, experienced a decrease in Parkinson’s symptoms, and felt that their quality of life improved. This class is offered in person only, Wednesday & Friday: 1:00-1:55PM.

Prescribe the Y

What if there was one medicine so powerful in maintaining and improving health that it could prevent or treat dozens of diseases, such a diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity?  There is!  Talk to your doctor about Prescribe the Y program and make physical activity part of your life and health care plan.  For more information, contact Jennifer Allen, Senior Program Director of Wellness & Aquatics.

First Step Back

First Step Back is designed for anyone in need of one-on-one assistance with an exercise program while recovering from a spinal cord injury, head injury or stroke, or for patients who are pre or post-surgery.

After an initial evaluation with a physical therapist, participants meet with a certified personal trainer to execute their treatment plan 2-3 times per week for four, six or eight weeks. First Step Back is not covered by medical insurance. The initial evaluation is free.

For an initial evaluation contact Jennifer Allen, Senior Program Director of Wellness & Aquatics

$50 per session after initial evaluation.